Bokmål is a Norwegian language that is widely used in Norway. It is one of the two official written languages in Norway, the other being Nynorsk. In this article, we will discuss the definition, meaning, origin, and associations of Bokmål.
Definitions
Bokmål is a written standard of the Norwegian language, which is based on the language spoken in and around the capital city, Oslo. It is also known as Riksmål, which means “national language.” Bokmål is the most widely used written language in Norway, and it is used by around 85% of the population.
Origin
Bokmål has its roots in the Danish language, which was the official language of Norway during the union between Norway and Denmark from 1380 to 1814. After Norway became independent in 1814, there was a movement to develop a distinct Norwegian language that was different from Danish. The first written standard of Norwegian was created in 1848, and it was based on the language spoken in the western part of Norway. In the early 20th century, a new written standard was developed based on the language spoken in and around Oslo, which became known as Bokmål.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Bokmål is defined as “a written standard of Norwegian, based on the language spoken in and around Oslo, and used by around 85% of the population.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Bokmål as “a standard form of written Norwegian that is based on the language spoken in and around Oslo and that is characterized by the retention of many Danish forms.”
Associations
Bokmål is associated with the urban areas of Norway, especially Oslo and the surrounding regions. It is also associated with the conservative political parties in Norway, who support the use of Bokmål as the main written language.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of Bokmål include Riksmål, Dano-Norwegian, and Modern Norwegian.
Antonyms
The antonym of Bokmål is Nynorsk, which is the other official written language in Norway.
The same root words
Bokmål shares many root words with other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish and Danish. It also shares some root words with English, such as “kiosk” and “ski.”
Example Sentences
- Jeg snakker Bokmål. (I speak Bokmål.).
- Bokmål er den mest brukte skriftlige formen for norsk. (Bokmål is the most widely used written form of Norwegian.).
- Han skrev en bok på Bokmål. (He wrote a book in Bokmål.).
In conclusion, Bokmål is a written standard of the Norwegian language, which is based on the language spoken in and around Oslo. It has its roots in the Danish language, and it is the most widely used written language in Norway. Bokmål is associated with the urban areas of Norway and the conservative political parties. It shares many root words with other Scandinavian languages and English.